The appointment of Deputy Comptroller N. Olisa Alumanah as Acting Customs Area Controller of the Seme Area Command has raised expectations among businesses operating along the Nigeria-Benin border, with the new leadership promising to strike a balance between strict enforcement and smoother trade operations.
At a time when border delays, smuggling and concerns about the conduct of enforcement officers continue to shape conversations around cross-border commerce, Alumanah’s assumption of office signals a renewed emphasis on accountability, intelligence-driven operations and trade facilitation.
The Acting Controller outlined his priorities on Wednesday at the ECOWAS Conference Hall, Seme, during the formal handover ceremony at which he succeeded outgoing Assistant Comptroller-General Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila.
In his maiden address, Alumanah made it clear that protecting national security and safeguarding government revenue must go hand in hand with creating an environment where legitimate businesses can operate without unnecessary obstacles.
He identified revenue generation, intelligence-led enforcement and trade facilitation as the three pillars that would guide his administration.
On revenue generation, the new Customs chief pledged to strengthen collection mechanisms and close loopholes that allow government earnings to be lost through undervaluation, export violations and other forms of non-compliance.
He equally stressed that the command would intensify efforts against smuggling and other illicit activities, insisting that enforcement operations must be driven by credible intelligence, professionalism and respect for established procedures.
However, his strongest message to personnel appeared to centre on the treatment of legitimate traders and other users of the Seme corridor.
Alumanah warned against practices such as unnecessary cargo delays, intimidation, unauthorized demands and misconduct, noting that such behaviour could undermine confidence in the Customs Service and discourage legitimate trade.
“Our objective must be to enforce compliance without unnecessary obstruction and trade facilitation without compromising national security or revenue,” he declared.
He also made accountability a central part of his leadership pledge, warning that no officer would be shielded from disciplinary action because of rank, position or personal connections.
While promising to support personnel who demonstrate integrity and professionalism, he maintained that officers involved in unlawful practices would be held responsible for their actions.
Beyond enforcement and revenue collection, Alumanah highlighted technology adoption, operational modernization and continuous professional development as important requirements for improving border management.
His position reflects the growing need for Customs operations to respond to changing trade patterns and the increasing demand for efficient, transparent and technology-driven border procedures.
Meanwhile, the outgoing Controller, ACG Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, used his farewell remarks to highlight the importance of institutional cooperation in sustaining security and operational gains at the border.
He attributed the achievements recorded during his tenure to teamwork, intelligence gathering, effective supervision and collaboration with sister security and regulatory agencies.
According to Kaila, tackling smuggling and other forms of illicit trade requires coordinated action because criminal activities do not operate within the boundaries of individual institutions.
“Criminal activities will not operate within the boundaries of institutional responsibilities. Therefore, our response must be coordinated,” he said.
He also urged officers to maintain unity, warning that internal disagreements and personal differences could weaken the command’s ability to deliver on its responsibilities.
“A command divided by personal differences cannot achieve its full potential,” Kaila cautioned.
With the leadership transition completed, the real test for Alumanah will be how effectively his promises translate into measurable improvements in daily border operations.
For importers, exporters, transporters, clearing agents and other businesses that depend on the Seme corridor, the immediate concerns will include faster cargo processing, predictable procedures, reduced unnecessary delays and greater professionalism among officers.
The command will also be expected to demonstrate that stronger anti-smuggling operations and improved revenue collection can be achieved without placing additional burdens on businesses that comply with existing regulations.
As a strategic gateway connecting Nigeria with Benin and the wider West African market, the Seme border plays an important role in regional commerce. The quality of its operations therefore has implications far beyond Customs revenue and security statistics, affecting supply chains, business costs, consumer access to goods and economic activity.
Alumanah has set out an ambitious direction for his administration. Whether that vision delivers the desired results will ultimately be measured not only by seizures and revenue figures, but also by the confidence of traders, the efficiency of cargo movement and the integrity of officers operating along one of Nigeria’s most important land borders.
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